CAIRO, July 18 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels have routed most of
Muammar Gaddafi's militias from the oil town of Brega but will
have to clear landmines littering the streets before they can
take full control of the area, a rebel spokesman said on Monday.

Rebel fighters have encircled Brega, a key oil export
terminal with a refinery and chemical plant which for months
marked the eastern limit of Gaddafi's control, but are staying
out of the centre, rebel spokeman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah said.

"The main body (of Gaddafi's forces) retreated to Ras
Lanuf," Abdulmolah said by telephone. "I am told they have some
four-wheel-drive trucks with machineguns spread out between Ras
Lanuf and Bishr."

Ras Lanuf, another major oil export centre, lies some 100 km
(62 miles) west of Brega.

He said rebels trying to take control of Brega had been
hindered by landmines laid by Gaddafi loyalists across the town,
on its desert outskirts and at its oil installations.

"The main (oil) installations are still mined and the
remnants of Gaddafi's forces are still there," said Abdulmolah.
"Cleaning them out is going to be a bit difficult without
damaging the facilities themselves."
Continued...